November 16 Faith Flaw

2 Kings 7:1 But Elisha said, "Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord, 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.'" 2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, "If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" But Elisha said, "You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it." 

IN our previous two readings, we learned that God had brought the Syrian army to besiege Samaria, causing deadly starvation. This passage shows us that Israel's King Joram wanted to kill Elisha. Why? Apparently Elisha had promised the Lord would deliver the city. There was no need for the king to take any action but to wait on the Lord. But in the deadly siege, nearly everyone had lost hope in God's deliverance. Joram blames Elisha. His faith is weak, and his anger motivates him to seek Elisha's life.

          But then Elisha declared that God is about to end the siege and the starvation. Overnight scarce food will become plentiful and a bargain to purchase. To a starving city, such a promise sounded impossible. To the king's captain it sounded as if Elisha was just buying time.

          Unbelief often forms a great chasm of impatience and anger between God and his people, doesn't it? The wrier of Hebrews reminds us that unbelief kept the Jews whom God delivered from Egypt out of the Promised Land. Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were unable to enter (the Promised Land) because of unbelief. Paul writes of how unbelief kept him from God before his conversion. 1 Timothy 1:13 "though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief."

           What do you believe? Do you hold God's words above all things? Do you truly believe in his promises - even in Hell and in Heaven? One time I had a regular church-going person ask me, "Do you think there is really a Heaven?" In spite of all the promises from God's Word regarding eternal life, there seemed to be no true belief in the person's heart.

          I wonder what other questions we have regarding God? What do you do with your questions? What do you do with your "unbeliefs"? In his unbelief, the captain would not see God's salvation promise for Samaria. As it did for the Jews and the captain, will your unbelief keep a chasm between you and God? Or will you pray to the Lord for humility and understanding to grow deeper into your relationship with him?

Prayer: Lord God, you know my belief struggles. May my prayer be as the father in Mark 9:24"I believe; help my unbelief!" In Jesus' name I pray, amen.